Herrenchiemsee Tours

116 Reviews

Herreninsel is the larger of two inhabited islands in Chiemsee, a Bavarian lake near the Austrian border. While it features a monastery which dates back to the 8th century, the site of the post-war conference which drafted West Germany’s constitution, the island’s main attraction is undoubtedly Herrenchiemsee. This was one of the three palaces built by the profligate 19th century Bavarian king, Ludwig II. But unlike Linderhof or the world-famous Neuschwanstein, Herrenchiemsee is not a pastiche of previous styles, rather it’s a copy of one particular building: the Palace of Versailles.

Ludwig’s palace is a salute to an era when monarchs were both the pinnacles of power and arbiters of style. But funds ran out before he could complete Herrenchiemsee, and only the central section was completed. As well as lavishly decorated rooms – boasting the world’s largest porcelain chandelier and a replica of the Hall of Mirrors – there are also eerie bare-walled loft-like spaces. The building’s façade makes an impressive centerpiece to the extensive landscaped gardens.

Practical Info

Herreninsel can be reached by ferry from the town of Prien am Chiemsee, which lies just off the main autobahn between Munich and Salzburg. By train, it’s about an hour from Munich’s main station.

Opening hours are dependent on boat schedules; learn more at http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisch/tourist/opening.htm

Location

Address: Herrenchiemsee, Chiemsee 83209, Germany

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Hours: Opening hours are dependent on boat schedules; learn more at http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisch/tourist/opening.htm

Visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, modeled after the Palace of Versailles by King Ludwig II, on this guided, full-day tour from Munich. Escape to an island in Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, for a tour of the king’s final and most expensive castle (entrance fee not included). Then continue by boat to the Benedictine abbey of Frauenwörth, located in the beautiful, unspoiled landscape at the edge of the Bavarian Alps on Fraueninsel Island.

Escape to the islands of Herreninsel and Fraueninsel in the Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, on this full-day rail trip from Munich. Enjoy a guided tour of the stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace, modeled after the Palace of Versailles and one of King Ludwig II’s homes on Herreninsel Island. Then explore the historic Fraueninsel Island, whose origins date back 1,300 years, at leisure. Round-trip train ticket included. Castle admission and boat rides additional.

Discover medieval history in Bavaria on this 10-hour small-group day tour to Herrenchiemsee Palace and Park from Munich. Visit the Church of St Marinus and Anianus and the historic town of Wasserburg am Inn with a guide. Admire the pastel-colored houses, pretty bay windows and imposing battlements for which the town is famous, and gain insight into its medieval heritage. Then, cruise over Lake Chiemsee to Herrenchiemsee Palace and Park to explore by horse-drawn carriage. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to eight people.